chapter 3

my eyes widened in surprise as he asked me to marry him. I hadn't expected it, and my mind was racing with thoughts.

"Why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why do you want to marry me?"

his expression turned serious, and he took a deep breath before speaking. "Cassy, I want to marry you because I need a wife to inherit my family's business. I've been looking for someone for a while now, and I think you're the perfect person."

my eyes narrowed, my mind racing with thoughts. I had thought that he wanted to marry me because of our connection, because of the way we felt about each other. But now, I realized that it was all about business. "It's not a big deal," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "We just had sex, and now you want to marry me?"

his expression turned gentle, and he reached out to take my hand. "Cassy, it's not just about the sex. It's about the connection we share, the way we feel about each other. And yes, my family's business is a big part of it ,but I have been asked to pick a wife for years and if it was just with anyone I would have. I promise you, I will make you happy. I will take care of you, and I will love you with all my heart."

I looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of deception. But all I saw was sincerity, and a deep longing to make me happy. "Okay," "I'll marry you." but first I need to know more about you, the whole mansion, luxurious cars, and what company " who exactly are you? I asked him with so much curiosity.

I know you have a question but I would answer that after our marriage, am just living in a low profile, trust me cassy, promise am not going to hurt you. he replied. I don't know, am not sure, with everything I have been through I don't know if this is the next step to take, I said .

I know cassy but trust me, I'll make everything better, I never wanted to inherit my family business but with you it would be worth it he replied ". his eyes sparkled with excitement as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it, revealing a beautiful diamond ring that glinted in the morning light. "This was my mother's ring," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "She gave it to me before she passed away, and I've kept it all these years, waiting for the right person to come along."

my eyes widened as he took my hand and slid the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly, and I couldn't help but gasp at the beauty of the ring.

"cassy, from the moment I met you, I knew that you were special," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "Will you marry me?"

Tears of joy filled my eyes as I nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, I'll marry you!" I exclaimed, as he pulled me into a passionate kiss. As we kissed, I felt like she was on top of the world. I have never felt this way about anyone before, and I knew that I was making the right decision. he pulled back, a huge smile on his face. "I promise to love you and cherish you for the rest of our lives," he said, his eyes shining with happiness. I smiled back, feeling like the luckiest person in the world. "I promise to love you and support you, no matter what," I replied, my voice filled with emotion. As we hugged, I knew that I have found my soulmate in him. And I couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life with him. and maybe this was what I needed to get away from all this.

I couldn't contain my excitement as I drove home to share the news with my family. I had never felt this way before, and I couldn't wait to tell my parents and Lucy about my engagement. As I walked into the house, mom and dad were sitting in the living room, watching TV. Lucy was sitting on the couch, staring at her phone. "Mom, Dad, Lucy, I have something to tell you," I said, barely containing my excitement. my parents and Lucy looked up at me, curious. "What is it, Cassy?" mom asked. I took a deep breath and held out my hand, showing off the ring. "I'm engaged," I said, beaming.

The room fell silent. my parents and Lucy stared at me , their faces expressionless. "Who's the lucky guy?" Lucy asked finally, her voice flat. "His name is Liam," I said, still smiling. "We met a few days ago, and... it just feels right. dad cleared his throat, his face darkening."Cassy, we don't even know this guy," he said. "How can you be engaged to someone you barely know?" I felt a surge of defensiveness. "I know him, Dad," I said. "And I love him. He's kind, and caring, and... he makes me happy." mom sighed, shaking her head. "Cassy, honey, we just want what's best for you. Are you sure this is what you want?" I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Yes, Mom. I'm positive. I've never felt this way about anyone before." Lucy rolled her eyes, standing up from the coach"Congratulations, Cassy," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sure this will end well."

I felt a sting from Lucy's words, but I tried to ignore it. I knew that my family wouldn't be thrilled about my engagement, but I had hoped they would be more supportive.

what about Ethan?

dad asked "

what about him? I said"

he is the son of our business partner and the one I want you to marry, and maybe with that you can finally do something right and I would be proud of., he replied " .

I don't care of what so ever plans you guys have , am marrying Liam . As the tension in the room grew thicker, I realized that I have a long road ahead of me. But I was determined to make my relationship with Liam work, no matter what my family thinks. dad leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Tell me more about this guy," he said. "What does he do for a living? Is he successful?"

I hesitated, not wanting to reveal too much about Liam's background. I knew my dad would be skeptical, and I don't want to give him any ammunition to criticize Liam.

"He's... a businessman," I replied,vaguely.

dad raised an eyebrow. "A businessman? What kind of business is he in?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, Dad. It's not important."

dad scowled. "Not important? Of course, it's important! I want you to marry someone who is successful, someone who can take care of you. You went studying abroad, Cassy. I don't want all that to go to waste. I want you to have a good life, a comfortable life." I felt a surge of frustration. Why did dad always have to be so critical? Why couldn't he just be supportive for once?

"I understand, Dad," I said, trying to placate him. "But I love Laim, and you don't have to act now like you care about me, but there's nothing worse that would happen to me that you haven't already made happen to me . I said, filling so fulfilled with my response. I walked out of the living room, feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by my parents' reaction to my engagement. I trudged up the stairs to my room, slamming the door shut behind me.

As soon as I flopped onto my bed, my phone buzzed with an incoming call from Laim. I smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.

"Hey," I answered, my voice soft.

"Hey, beautiful," he replied, his voice warm and soothing. "How did it go with your parents?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "It was a disaster. They're not happy about us getting married."he chuckled. "I expected as much. But don't worry, we'll make this work. We'll make them see how much we love each other." I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. "I love you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper."I love you too," he replied. "And speaking of love, I've been thinking about our wedding." my heart skipped a beat. "What about it?"

his voice took on a serious tone. "I want it to happen soon. Like, really soon. And I want it to be just the two of us, with a priest. No guests, no fuss. Just us, making a promise to each other." my mind reeled as I processed his words. A small, intimate wedding sounded perfect to me. "I like that idea," she said, her voice filled with excitement. but why?

I just want a private wedding no article or News about it, the media we carry it if we make it grand I told you am living a low profile. he said.

okay " that's fine with me, I trust your process, I replied.

he chuckled. "I'm glad you do. I'll start making arrangements. We can get married in a few weeks, if you'd like." my heart soared. A few weeks? That sounded like a dream come true. "Yes, I'd like that," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. his voice filled with warmth. "and I would make that happen .

A few weeks passed, and the day of our wedding finally arrived. I stood in the living room, wearing a beautiful white wedding gown, my parents and Lucy looking on.

"Cassy, what's going on here?" mom asked, confusion etched on her face. "Why are you wearing a wedding dress? Where's the wedding?" I took a deep breath. "Liam and I are getting married today. Just the two of us, with a priest. No guests." my parents and Lucy exchanged shocked glances. "What? That's ridiculous!" dad exclaimed. "You deserve a grand wedding, Cassy. All our friends and family should be there to celebrate with us." I shook my head. "Liam doesn't want that. He wants it to be just us."

dad's face turned red with anger. "I don't care what Laim wants. You're my daughter, and I want you to have the wedding you deserve, and not a secret wedding, If you go through with this, don't bother coming back to this house." I was in so much shocked with dad's words.

I knew you never liked me but this was just the height of it, after everything, this was the only thing that would make me happy and you want to decline me of it?, I replied him, with my face in so much disbelief.

I have always knew you never had the Carter's blood in you, and you are choosing love over this family, not on my watch Will I wash the media breads new about this family of my daughter marrying a random stranger with no achievement at all, I would rather take the Carter from your name, he said with no hesitation at all

I choose love over this family? , just as you choose your business and what the media we say over your own daughter, I have never felt part of this family any ways, even if I regret, I would never come back here. I replied, with tears dropping down my face. I felt a surge of determination. I knew what I wanted, and I wasn't going to let my parents dictate my decisions. "I'm going to marry Liam today." With that, I turned and walked out of the house, leaving my stunned parents and Lucy behind.

The wedding ceremony was beautiful, with just Liam, I , and the priest present. we exchanged vows in a quiet, intimate setting, surrounded by candles and flowers. As the priest asked me to take Laim as my husband, he said, "Do you, Cassy, take Alexander Richard Langley, also known as Lem, to be your husband?" my eyes widened in confusion. Alexander Richard Langley? I had never heard him mention that name before. But I pushed aside my doubts and nodded, saying "I do."

As we exchanged our vows and sealed our union with a kiss, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something he wasn't telling me. After the ceremony, he took me to his house, which turned out to be a grand mansion that I have never seen before. The entrance was flanked by two imposing stone lions, and the driveway was lined with perfectly manicured hedges. As we stepped inside, I was greeted by a team of staff who welcomed me warmly. But I couldn't help feeling like I had stumbled into a different world.

"Who are you?" I asked him, my voice barely above a whisper. "You're not who I thought you were, are you?".